BANGALORE: Claiming that their community is the most suppressed section of the society, the Rajya Savitha Samaja Meesalathi Okkoota demanded the State government to place them under Category 1 which falls under Other Backward Communities (OBCs) quota.
The Okkoota urged the government to merge barbers and percussionists who perform at wedding functions and shift them from the existing 2(A) and 3(B) Category to Category (1) (OBC).
The members of the Okkoota also opposed delay by the Union government in merging them with the Scheduled Caste category and sought a special reservation.
Speaking to reporters, M B Shivakumar, President of this Okkoota, said, “Apart from these demands, we have also put forth various other requests like loans with lower interests and setting up institutions that impart training in hairstyle and percussion.” The budgetary grant of Rs 2 crore for development of the community is not enough, they said.